Viral flu cases on the rise in Laamu, Raa atolls

Reported cases of viral flu in the atolls of Laamu and Raa are rapidly increasing amidst the flu epidemic in the Maldives, revealed the Health Protection Agency (HPA) on Friday.

According to HPA’s statistics, 343 people suspected of having swine flu were tested out of which total 108 tested positive for the H1N1 virus. This latest report indicates that the number of swine flu cases increased by 3 over the last 24 hours.

Statistics show that the highest number of people who sought treatment for fever and colds on Thursday were in Laamu atoll with 167 patients, followed by Raa atoll with 150 patients. Meanwhile, 129 people went to the hospital due to fever in Haa Dhaal atoll while there were 116 cases in capital Kaafu atoll.

The statistics for Wednesday had been 101 patients in Laamu atoll, 27 in Raa, 116 in Haa Dhaal and 88 in Kaafu.

HPA also disclosed that currently 15 people have been hospitalised in state run Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital in capital Male while 34 people were admitted across the atolls.

Two people have died of swine flu so far with a woman aged 51 that passed away late Wednesday and a man aged 24 on March 4.

An average of 3,000 people contract fever and the common cold per week in the Maldives. Records show that the number spiked to average 5,000 from the end of February onwards.

Swine flu poses the greatest danger to children under the age of five, adults over the age of 65, pregnant women, people suffering from conditions of the lungs, liver, heart, blood, respiratory system and neuromuscular metabolism, people with low immunity and those undergoing long-term medical treatments.